Is the Online Safety Bill enough? Not according to educators

EMMA

Despite the proposed Online Safety Bill being a major legislative effort to protect students using digital devices, a recent study by Bett uncovered a troubling reality - only 10% of educators believe it will be effective. While 40% view the bill as a step in the right direction, many remain unconvinced that it can truly improve online student safety. Recent research by Ofcom shows that despite two-thirds of young adults and teens having experienced harmful content, only one in six reports it.

These statistics are worrying, emphasising the importance of a continued collective effort to enhance online safety education in schools. After all, ensuring that our students are safe online is a shared responsibility we cannot afford to ignore.

The online world can be a double-edged sword – it has great potential for learning, connection, and exploration – as well as its potential harm to those who are unprotected.

Creating greater awareness within the education system on supporting students in navigating online safety is a positive step toward a safer online world. However, a significant one-third of teachers admit they lack sufficient understanding of the Online Safety Bill, severely impeding their ability to foster safe practices among students.

Delving deeper into the research, an interesting divide emerges among teachers on their perceptions of the Online Safety Bill’s impact based on age.

Teachers aged 50 and above seem less supportive, with only 20% believing that the Bill has made minimal progress in safeguarding students onlinecompared to just nine percent of younger teachers sharing this view. However, it is worth noting that younger teachers (aged 20-30) are likelier to admit their ignorance about the Bill, with a whopping 37% confessing their lack of understanding.

It’s alarming to see how little educators know about online safety, especially in light of recent findings. The truth is, unless we take immediate action and bridge these knowledge gaps, the Online Safety Bill won’t be nearly as effective as it could be; the Bill’s success depends on educators fully understanding its provisions and implications.

To provide teachers with well-rounded support in the Online Safety Bill, we require a comprehensive approach comprising various aspects of online safety. This could include incentivising teachers who demonstrate strong online safety expertise, offering timely training on digital trends and technologies, and promoting best practices for internet safety in educational institutions.

Attending specialised training programs focusing on digital literacy development is another key step, and exploring topics like cyberbullying, online privacy, digital footprints, reliable information sourcing, and social media etiquette through interactive exercises and real-life case studies, could also be used to highlight the urgency of the issue.

Educational institutions could also enhance online safety measures by establishing a robust support network to ensure online safety for their students. This support could include access to administrators, counsellors, and technology specialists who can offer valuable advice and guidance when needed.

Once teachers’ confidence and awareness of online safety are improved, the next crucial step is empowering students with online safety knowledge through effective strategies. This includes seamlessly integrating digital literacy and responsible online behaviour into various subjects, without the content feeling disjointed from their day-to-day teaching.

Another technique to boost a student’s online safety is to use online resources such as tutorials on the awareness of malicious websites, creating strong passwords and the basics of web safety. Or, engaging with students through workshops and events focused on e-safety will provide a more interactive educational environment, enabling students to fully comprehend appropriate online behaviour.

It’s vital we collaborate with educators to provide access to online safety resources for our students. Through digital safety promotion, we can foster a culture of trust and respect, while minimising the occurrences of online harm.